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WEEKLY PAYMENTS 



ree Text books. 



FROM ADVANCE SHEETS OF REPORT OF 



COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS, 



1887. 



f 



V 



f%* 



WEEKLY PAYMENTS. * A * 



As this matter is now under discussion in the General Assembly, 
and as the views of workingmen upon it have already been given in 
the employes' replies, it is deemed advisable to give the opinion of 
Mr. Mulleda, the President of the Central Labor Union, and also 
that of prominent employers of labor : 

Views of Mr. Mutteda. 

Wages earned by any individual should be promptly paid, as wages are the 
only capital work people have to rely upon for everything they require, and the 
money should be at their disposal to make the most of it in every proper way 
that they can advantageously do so. It is not right that employers should hold 
back for a month or more the wages earned by their work people, and collect 
the interest on wages earned and due to employes, but in simple justice to the 
workers they should have their wages paid weekly at least, so that they can 
reap the benefit of ready -money purchases in whatever they want to buy, and if 
they have any little surplus left they can put it in a bank and receive that inter- 
est which their employers now get under the monthly payment system. The 
record of the Bristol Rubber Works goes to show the perniciousness of the long- 
winded payment business; for had the operatives been paid on the weekly plan, 
instead of otherwise, they would not be in the plight in which they find them- 
selves to-day. This is a sample here at home with us, and there are plenty of 
others; too plenty, in fact. And particularly is this the case in the mining dis- 
tricts and in several manufacturing places throughout the country. Then again, 
by the long payment plan, families are forced into trading at one store for what 
they want, or they get a check of one store-man to another for something the 
other has not got, so that the customer has no option as a free agent, but is vir- 
tually in the grasp of the corporation or some store dealer, and is merely a 



money-making automaton in the bands of either one or the other. Long credits 
make bad debts, as most business men very well know when persons have 
skipped away before the end of a month, and merely left a remembrance of 
them in the shape of uncollected bills. Whereas, if the weekly payment was in 
vogue they could not get away for a month, as their time must be curtailed to a 
week at most, thereby saving time and anxiety as well as a more serious loss of 
monej r to our busiuess men and others equally interested. The weekly system of 
wages being paid would give more general satisfaction, and establish more confi- 
dence, inasmuch as the people would then live within their income, pay for 
what they wanted, get the full benefit directly of what they earned, make short 
credits, and consequently less bad debts among the community. It would 
also put money in circulation more generally in the hands of the poorer people, 
so that instead of having to wait a month to get money, when themselves or 
children would be suffering for clothes, shoes, or other special necessaries, and 
being without credit or badly in debt, they could on the weekly plan be enabled 
at least to supply their pressing wants, and more than likely save a great many 
doctors' bills, which by the way are very often unpaid because of being unable 
to pay them. Hoping the measure will pass, I remain 

Yours respectfully, 

JOHN MULLEDA. 

Views of a Representative of one of Our Largest Manufacturing 

Interests. 

The manufacturers of this State are opposed to the Weekly Payment Bill now 
before the State Legislature for the following reasons: 

First. They regard all bills as pernicious that attempt to over-ride private 
contracts, or to regulate by statute matters that are better left to be settled by 
the parties interested. They believe that in no such cases should the Legislature 
interfere unless it can be clearly shown that an absolute need exists for such in- 
terference, which is not the fact in the present instance. 

Second. They regard the bill as a gross example of class legislation, inasmuch 
as it singles out one kind of employers, namely, corporations, to be subject to 
penalty in case of infringement of law, leaving others to violate the statute with 
impunity. 

Third. Because it will in many cases increase the cost and trouble of transact- 
ing their business, with no corresponding advantage cither to them or to those 
they employ. As a matter of fad employers in this State are now paying, some 
monthly, some semi-monthly and souk; weekly, the time and methods of pay- 



3 



meut largely depending upon the nature and character of the work done, and the 
more or less intricate calculations necessary to be made in computing the amount 
earned by each workman, work done by the day or hour obviously requiring 
less figuring than piece work, and varying greatly in different establishments, 
rendering it impossible to frame a statute that would be fair and just to all. 

Fourth. Because those who are saving and provident need no assistance from 
the State, being amply able and willing to manage their own affairs. Those 
who are improvident and dissipated will find in weekl}' - payments a more fre- 
quent opportunity to indulge in drunkenness and revelling to the great injury of 
their dependents. During the past eighteen months many employers who were 
paying monthly have been paying semi-monthly, thinking it might be a benefit 
to their workmen. The results are not altogether satisfactory, and some manu- 
facturers think that a positive injury has been done to many of their help, the 
heads of families especially complaining that they cannot lay out their earnings 
to so good an advantage when received in smaller sums. In some cases where a 
canvass has been made of such, they have decided to continue the monthly pay- 
ments. Under these circumstances, and in view of the fact that mills are trying 
the semi-monthly and weekly payments wherever in the judgment of the em- 
ployers it is desirable or beneficial, we submit that to enforce uniform action by 
statute would inflict injury and hardship in some cases, and only tend to inject 
irritation and discord into a question which is fast being settled amicably without 
legislative interference. 

The Managers of a Large Cotton Manufacturing Interest 

have no objection outside of a little expense for clerk hire to make up the weekly 
pay rolls, but do not think it would be best for the employes. Where they get 
their money every week they are not so likely to save as though they got it 
monthly. When they receive a month's wages it is quite a sum, and the}' are 
more liable to put some in the savings bank. When once started in the way of 
saving they are very apt to increase their savings, and being paid monthly will 
save more than though they were paid by the week, which being only one-fourth 
as large they are apt to say " Well, who wants to go to the bank with a dollar?" 
or may be one dollar and fifty cents, as the case may be, and in a great many 
cases such is the case. Where monthly payments are made they might have 
five or six dollars to deposit, and that being an item they can deposit that amount 
and not miss it, and so they keep saving, and when they grow old they have 
something to live upon, and perhaps a house of their own. 



Another Large Cotton Manufacturer 

thinks the help are better off with monthly payments for the following rea- 
sons: Those that get drunk could not handle money so often, consequently could 
get drunk only once a month, where if they were paid weekly they would be 
drunk four times a month. The industrious and intelligent workingman would 
sooner have his pay monthly, so he could put in the savings bank his surplus at 
the end of the month, and being paid monthly he would be more apt to save be- 
cause the sum would be an object, whereas under weekly payments the sum 
would be so small he would not be so likely to want to save, but would spend it 
as he went along, 

A Large Woolen Manufacturer. 

Outside of the extra clerk hire, I have no objection to weekly payments. We 
have paid weekly some time, and consider the payment weekly beneficial from a 
manufacturers' standpoint. 



FREE TEXT BOOKS 



This is another question that is now before the General Assembly. 
The statistics of the United States Census for 1880 show that Ehode 
Island surpasses all other Northern States in illiteracy. Not only is 
this the case when the whole population is considered, but it is also 
so when the colored are deducted from the totals. Our percentage of 
white illiterates is even larger than that of the border States of 
Delaware, Maryland and Missouri. But a large proportion of our 
white inhabitants are of foreign birth. Taking the native whites 
only into account, our standing is better than that of several of the 
Northern States, and our State ranks as nineteenth among the forty- 
seven States and Territories. How Ehode Island ranks among its 
New England sisters can be learned from this table : 



1880. 



STATE 



Connecticut 

Maine 

Massachusetts.. , 
New Hampshire 
Rhode Island.. . 
Vermont 











a 




<u 




>> 




© m 


-O 




0; 


a * 


tf 


.2 * 


O 










II 


rt 

a 

P 


497,303 


20,980 j 


519,669 


18,181 


1,432,1 S3 


76,635 


286,188 


11,982 


220,461 


17,466 


264,052 


12,993 





aj 




£ 




o 


a 




<v 






.a 




« 




a 


h 


P 







4 2 
3.5 
5.3 
4.2 



28,424 
22,170 
92,980 
14,302 
24,793 
15,837 





o 

> ^ 
a a 
ft * 

*i m • 

S t; - 


Foreign-born White 
Persons. 


Foreign-born Whites 
10 years of age and 
upwards, unable to 
Write. 


5.7 
4, 
6.5 
5.0 
11.2 
6.0 


1.0 

1.9 
0.7 
1.1 
2.9 
2.4 


126,047 
54,853 

420,607 
42,783 
70,562 
38,884 


23,035 
12,08a 
83,725 
11,498 
L9.283 
10,327 



18.3 

23.7 
196 
26.9 
27.3 
26.6 



6 



Only one of the States and Territories — new Mexico — occupies a 
lower rank than Rhode Island in the illiteracy of its foreign-born 
population. 

The State Census report for 1885 gives valuable statistics in regard 
to the want of education. It shows that while the larger portion of 
those enumerated as illiterates are of foreign parentage, the children 
of the foreign-born are making greater relative progress than those 
of native parents ; that while the former are improving in knowledge 
as a whole, the latter are going backward. The annexed tables are 
copied from this report : 



CITIES AND 
TOWNS. 



Illiteracy. 



Barrington 

Bristol 

Warren 

Coventry 

East Greenwich. 
West Greenwich 

Warwick 

Jamestown 

Little Compton.. 

Middletown 

Newport 

New Sboreham.. 
Portsmouth — 

Tiverton 

Burrillville 

Cranston 

Cumberland 

East Providence. 



4.0 

6.0 

21.0 

20.4 

7.0 

J5.2 

18.1 

3.4 

1.3 

4.2 

7.9 

3.2 

11.1 

7.1 

9.9 

L0.8 

12.6 

7.2 



School 


Attendance. 


P>4 


M 
1 


89.4 


16 


903 


14 


60.4 


36 


70.0 


35 


93.6 


7 


85.6 


28 


73.0 


34 


92.2 


10 


95.9 


2 


93.5 


8 


92.2 


9 


89.4 


15 


88.3 


20 


89.1 


17 




31 


88.2 


21 


88.5 


19 


94 6 


5 



('[TIES AND 
TOWNS. 



*»"-<*■ JSSL. 



Foster 

Glocester 12.3 

Johnston 9.6 

Lincoln 18.7 

North Providence.. 5.1 

North Smithfield... 22.1 

Pa wtucket 11.9 

Providence.. 8.1 



Scituate 

Smithlield 

Woonsocket 

Charlestown 

Exeter 

Mopkinton 

North Kingstown.. . 
South Kingstown... 
Richmond 



5.2 
13.1 

25.0 
5.4 
4.6 
6.0 
6.8 
6.3 
5.8 



Westerly 4.6 



M 

a 


1 

3 


21 


87.2 


27 


86.4 


22 


83.4 


32 


85.2 


8 


84.6 


35 


75.0 


26 


91.2 


20 


87.5 


9 


87.9 


29 


88.5 


36 


87.6 


10 


98.1 


6 


91.8 


12 


91.8 


15 


94.4 


14 




11 


95.8 


7 


86.7 



Illiteracy Percentages. 



Comparative Table for the State, 
Parent Nativity. 



1875 and 1885.— By 



PLACE OF BIRTH OF 
PARENTS. 


Per cent, of Illiterates 
of each specified pa- 
rentage to total popu- 
lation of that parent- 
age. 


Per cent, of Illiterates 
of each specified P'or- 
eign parentage to 
total population of 
Foreign parentage. ' 


Per cent, of Illiterates 
of each specified pa- 
rentage to total pop- 
ulation 10 years old 
and upwards. 


Per cent, of Illiterates 
of each specified pa- 
rentage to total Illit- 
erates. 


Per cent, of Illiterates 
of each specified For- 
eign parentage to 
total Illiterates of 
Foreign parentage. 




1875. 


1885. 


1875. 


1885. 


1875. 


1885. 


1875. 


1885. 


1875. 


1885. 




2.2 
17.1 
17.9 

5.4 
39.7 


2.4 
14.3 
14.5 

4 
32.0 
27.8 

6.9 






1.5 
10.3 

6 6 

.6 

2.7 

.4 
11.8 


•1.4 

9.3 

5.1 

.6 

3 1 

.1 

.4 

10.7 


12.5 

87.5 

56 1 

5.3 

22.8 

3.3 


13 2 

86.8 

47.5 

5.1 

29.0 

1 2 

4 






Total Foreign 


17 1 

11 

1.0 

4.5 

.6 


14.3 

7.8 

.8 

4.8 

.2 
.7 


100.0 

64 2 

6.0 

26.0 

3.8 


100 


Ireland 

Oreat Britain 

Canada 

Italy 


54.7 
5.9 

33.5 
1.3 




7.9 


4 6 

























* White, 0.8. Colored, 0. 



That the Irish and the French Canadians come to our State de- 
ficient in " book knowledge" is not necessarily to their discredit; 
that they are taking advantage of our free school system is shown by 
the statistics just given ; and that those who have had educational 
advantages are among onr smartest and most energetic citizens is 
obvious to all. The question for us to consider is, do we extend every 
facility to our children of school age for obtaining an education, and 
are the children receiving the full benefit of the advantages given 
them. 

By a careful inspection of the first of the two tables just given it 
will be found that the five towns which have the greatest illiterary 
are Woonsocket, North Smithficld, Warren, Coventry and Lincoln. 
In all of these towns the French Canadians who cannot read or 
write are greater in number than those of all other nationalities com- 
bined. Some allowance should be made for the fact that the French- 



Canadians are comparatively newcomers, and that the conditions 
under which they have lived in the Province of Quebec have not been 
favorable to the acquirement of education; but it is nevertheless true 
that they are not availing themselves of our free schools to the extent 
that is desirable. Various reasons can be advanced for this state of 
things. The teachers are generally of another religion, and the 
teaching in another tongue than their own. Then the French- 
Canadians belong largely to the factory class, and they like to put 
their children to work at an early age, But probably the prevailing 
reason, the one that has more influence than any other in keeping 
the children of this race out of our school houses is the cost to which 
the parents are subjected in schooling them. In order to do so they 
must not only lose the labor of the children, but they must also dress 
them as well as other children are dressed, and they must provide 
them with school books. If they are not dressed well the other 
children will make fun of them. If they have not the necessary 
school books they cannot make equal progress with the others, and 
they will get behind other children of their age, and being ashamed 
to be placed in classes with those smaller than themselves, they will 
leave the school and go to work. These drawbacks to education do 
not apply to the French alone. Poor parents of other nationalities 
— and natives as well as foreigners — find the tax for clothes and 
books greater than they can stand, and their children are the suffer- 
ers. But the French usually have large families of children, and, 
frequently changing residence from one town to another, in order 
to earn a little better wages, they are subjected to adverse educational 
conditions, more than those of other nationalities. If there was 
uniformity in regard to text books throughout the State, or even if 
a uniformity was established in each county, the cost for school books 
would not be so great, where families move from one town to another. 
But under the present situation, if a parent changes from the old 
mill in Lonsdale to the new mill, and changes tenements to corre- 
spond, he must purchase different readers, arithmetics, and writing 
books for each child, or if he changes from the Man ton mill in 
Providence to the neighboring Lymansville mill in North Providence, 



he must purchase different readers, spellers, arithmetics, grammars, 
histories and writing books for his children. The expense in the 
latter case could hardly be less than five dollars for each child. There 
are but few factory operatives that could afford the expense of 
changing books under such circumstances. The cost of school books 
bears heavily upon a great many parents, even where they do not 
change their residences. 

The law makes school attendance compulsory, but it can not com- 
pel parents to provide their children with books. It is in line with 
the free school system that the pupils should be furnished with school 
books, as well as with school houses and teachers, maps, globes, and 
the other requisites of the school room. The State insists, and wisely 
insists, that the children below a certain age shall cease from labor 
and devote their time to the acquirement of an education. Then let 
it see to it that they are furnished the necessary facilities for such 
acquirement. It is certainly in the interest of good government that 
our children should have the best possible facilities for the acquire- 
ment of the rudimentary branches. 

The Bureau has sought the opinion of several gentlemen interested 
in the cause of education upon this question, and their replies are 
submitted herewith, together with other matter relating to the same 
subject: 

From, the Commissioner of Public Schools. 

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND. 

Office Commissioner Public Schools, 

Providence, Feb. 6, 1888. 

J. B. Bowdiicli, Commissioner of Bureau of Statistics. 

Dear Sir: — In reply to your inquiry as to my opinion of the "Free Text-Book" 
question, I beg leave to say that I am in favor of a law compelling cities and 
towns to furnish text-books and all school supplies free to the pupils of the pub- 
lic schools. 

First. Because I see no reason why the policy of making the schools "free" 
should stop with the teacher, school-house and furniture and a few of the iuci- 

2 



10 

dental needs. If the schools are to be equally free to all, the books must be free 
as well as the other appliances. 

Second. Because I believe such a step is needed in the interests of the schools. 
I believe it will increase very largely the efficiency of the schools, by enabling 
them to reach larger numbers and to do so more quickly and more thoroughly. 

Third. I believe it is in the line of sound economy. Testimony as to all of 
these points and others collateral to them, is full and convincing from all sections 
of the country where the plan has been tried. I am 

Very respectfully yours, 

THOS. B. STOCKWELL, 

Commissioner. 



From the Superintendent of Schools of Pawtuchet. 

Office of Superintendent of Public Schools, 

Pawtucket, R. L. Jan. 18, 1888. 

J. B. Bowdiich, Commissioner Bureau Labor Statistics. 

Dear Sir: — I have your letter of the 16th inst., and without meaning to be too 
positive in the matter and not claiming to be an expert,. I still entertain some 
rather decided views upon the subject inquired about, and I have to say: 

In the advent of a law establishing the Free Text Book system, I do not be- 
lieve that it would tend to increase the attendance in our schools at all. I be- 
lieve this result can be best brought about b} r a reasonably strict and judicious 
enforcement of the Truant Law, already on our Statute Book, with such amend- 
ments and improvements as experience shows to be necessary. I know some- 
thing of this latter law, have known something of it since its first enactment, 
and I believe it capable, when improved as suggested, of doing all that is neces- 
sary in this direction. We ought to have a State Truant Officer who shall be in- 
dependent of the local mill owning village magnates, and who will make it 
his work to see that the Truant Law is enforced in those parts of R. I., where at 
present it is disregarded. That this law can do its work is proved by statistics 
from the towns when it has had fair opportunity and has been reasonably well 
enforced, as in our own city for example, and in some other places. So far as 
regards the cost of books being a hardship to parents, I do not believe that at 
all, for in any case it is only a comparatively small item for a year, and in Paw- 
tucket (I presume also in other places) we already furnish books to poor children 
when they are really needy and deserving, and that in such a way, without mak 



11 



ing any parade about it, as to avoid all allusion to their poverty or any stigma 
arising therefrom. 

Again, I think the feeling of independence that every true American citizen 
ought to entertain would be somewhat interfered with by such a law. I know 
that it is said to be working well in places that have tried it, but there are two 
sides even to that, and as at present advised I should not be in favor of it at all. 

The matter of expense also, the necessary increase of school appropriation, 
and the consequent increase of local taxation, is a very serious objection in my 
mind at least, aud I do not have the reputation where I am known of being at 
all niggardly or stingy in these regards. On the whole I am not in favor of such a 
law. 

Respectfully, 

FRED. SHERMAN, 

Superintendent. 



From the Superintendent of Neivport. 

Office of Superintendent of Public Schools. 

Newport, R. I., January 17, 1888. 

My Dear Sir : — In answer to your enquiries just at hand, permit me to say: 
First. I think the adoption of a free text book law by the State would tend to 
increase the school attendance in this city. It would relieve many poor families 
from the burden of buying books, a burden which, in my judgment, now com- 
pels many children to leave school earlier than they otherwise would. 

Second. I think such a law carefully framed would be a wise one for the 
Legislature to enact. It is found so, is it not, in Massachusetts and several other 
States? 

Most respectfully, 

GEO. A. LITTLEFIELD, 

Supt. Schools. 



Extract from the Report of Superintendent White, of Woonsochet, 

for 1879. 

The town, at its annual meeting in June last, voted that thereafter the text- 
books used in the public schools be furnished to the pupils free of expense, and 
the cost of the same charged to the appropriation for schools. 



12 

This measure is having its desired effect. It is making the labors of the teach- 
ers more effective, and is greatly increasing the attendance upon the public 
schools. Allow me to recapitulate the advantages sought by this measure sub- 
stantially as they were stated in my last report: 

1. Books are ready at the proper time, and no day is lost to a pupil for want 
of them. 

2. No scholar's feelings are wounded by having in his book the label, " Town 
Property." 

3. It secures the advantages of " uniformity," and admits of desirable variety 
without increased cost or any inconvenience. 

4. Books are more entirely under the control of the teacher, as they should be. 

5. They are more carefully kept; not only parents and children, but school 
officers and teachers being interested in their preservation. 

6. There is less embarrassment in promoting pupils from grade to grade. 
Scholars can now afford to be promoted; if promoted on trial, books do not 
stand in the way of a fair trial. 

7. It results in an increased attendance at school. 

8. The first cost of books and stationery is from a third to one-half less than 
when individuals buy their own, and books are used until worn out. 

9. The plan seems justifiable on general principles, as much as the procuring 
of other supplies. 

10. It is much better, for those who are able and wish to own books at home, 
to buy reference and collateral books than books used in the schools. Books on 
the same subjects, by different authors, are very useful. 

11. The schools will then be free schools, and education will be placed within 
the reach of the poorest. 

The present enrollment of our schools is larger by several hundred than before 
since my acquaintance with them. When the mills stop, if for only a few 
weeks, many children who, if they had to furnish their own books, would not 
think of attending school, now enter them, and some become interested and 
remain. 

The benefits already so manifest will become still more so when a proper ab- 
sentee and truant ordinance is passed by the Town Council, and some determin- 
ing influence is brought to bear upon the 786 who do not attend any school 
whatever during the year. I am anxious that it may be distinctly seen at what 
precise point the benefits of this measure most effectually act. 

Our population is seventy-two per cent, foreign. Eighty-four per cent, of our 
school enrollment is in the primary schools. A primary pupil, before he has 



13 

learned the value of a book and how to take care of it, destroys it twice as fast 
as one in a higher grade, and many times as fast as one in the high schools. 
The cost, therefore, of books is distributed almost wholly where society is most generally 
represented, and where the very 'poor and needy are most found. 

With a clear view of the composition of our society— all nationalities, with 
their different tastes, their prejudices and antipathies, their diverse religious 
faiths — where is the hope of unity, and what measure will any one propose to 
obtain it? I know not but there are better ones than the above. I shall be glad 
if there are. I beg the privilege of citing some instances of its approval: 

A year ago last January the following questions were sent to Fall River and 
received the following replies from the Superintendent, W. Cornell, Jr.: 

Question 1. To what extent are the text-books furnished free to pupils in 
your schools? Answer. All the text-books and stationery used in the schools 
are furnished free. 

Q. 2. How long have they been so furnished? Ans. They have been so 
furnished nearly four years. 

Q. 3. What are the results in respect to economy? Ans. The cost is not 
one-half under this arrangement what it would be if each pupil furnished his 
own. 

Q. 4. What are the results in respect to school efficiency, attendance etc. ? 
Ans. The books are now ready on the first day of each term, and the attend- 
ance is very much improved. 

Q. 5. Are the books as well cared for by the pupils as if owned by them? 
Ans. The books are very much better cared for. This may seem strange, but 
it is a fact. 

Q. 6. Does the plan give general satisfaction to those concerned? Ans. It 
gives general satisfaction. I have yet to hear the first complaint against it. 

Q. 7. What are the regulations governing the distribution of books? Ans. 
In case of loss or material injury, the book must be immediately replaced by the 
pupil. 

The present Superintendent of Schools of Woonsocket, Mr. Frank 
E. McFee, endorses the views of Mr. White as given above. 



From tlie Superintendent of Cumberland. 

Ashton, R. I., Jan 18th, 1888. 
Josiah B. Bowditch. 

Dear Sir: — Yours of the 16th inst., reached me this day. In answer to your 

first question, "Would it in your town have the tendency to increase the attend- 



14 



ance at school?" I would say ray own opinion is that the "Free Text Book" sys- 
tem would make no great difference in the attendance. To achieve that result, 
it seems to me we must mainly rely on a strict enforcement of the "Truant 
Law." The parents of the children who go to our public schools get fairly good 
wages in the mills and elsewhere and in most cases are able to purchase school 
books for the children, though of course there are exceptions. I might further 
say, that in order not to make this burden too heavy, it has been the policy of 
our school committee to discourage all unnecessary changes of text-books, and 
to introduce new ones only when absolutely necessary. 

As to your second and third questions, I would say that I am not personally 
opposed to the "Free Text-Book System," as I think it goes logically with "Free 
Schools." I also believe that in many cases throughout the State, where the 
parents are very poor it would be a great boon to them and their children to 
have the text-books free. Whatever objections I might have to the measure 
would rest mainly on the ground of the increased taxation demanded by it. The 
town of Cumberland has always made liberal appropriations for schools, and the 
teachers have been paid good wages. What I fear is, if the purchase of text-books 
b} r the town required a large increase in the appropriation for schools, the tax 
payers might refuse to make it, and thus our faithful hard worked teachers 
would receive less wages. I am a believer in having town affairs managed 
economically and with no unnecessary expense, and yet at the same time I want 
the children to have all proper educational advantages, and these advantages to 
be made as free and cheap and accessible as possible. 

Respectfully yours, 

ROBERT MURRAY, Jr., 

Superintendent of Public Schools. 



From tlw Superintendent of Bristol. 

Office of Superintendent of Public Schools, 

Bristol, R. I., Jan. 20th, 1888. 
Jonah B. Boicditch, Commissioner. 

Dear Sir:— Your favor of the 16th is at hand. I cannot answer your questions 

very well as the change was made some time before my term of office began, 

about 1870. I think it was while the late Robt. S. Andrews was Superintendent. 

Then it was a change not from having the children buy their books, but from 

the system of the town buying the books and taxing the children generally from 

25 cents to 45 cents a term. There were some children not able to do this. I 



15 

think they tried letting them in free that were not able to pay; but this did not 
work well as it put them in an unpleasant position. So the next move was to 
place all on the same footing, which works well. I cannot say exactly as to 
whether it increased the attendance at school but I think it did. I have never 
heard a person make the suggestion of a return to the old way or to one in which 
the children should buy their own books. 

Taken as a whole, I think the result of the system of furnishing text-books 
free is entirely satisfactory. I would be glad at any time to give you any fur- 
ther information if it is in my power. 

Yours respectfully, 

J. P. REYNOLDS, 

Superintendent of Schools. 



From the Superintendent of Westerly. 

Westerly, R. I., Jan. 18th, 1888. 
Josiah B. Bowditcli, Commissioner. 

Dear Sir: — I do not think the Free Text-Book System would increase very 
much, if any, the attendance at school in our town. The compulsory and tru- 
ancy laws enforced are doing it. The purchase of school books will not prevent 
those who appreciate an education and desire their children to be educated, from 
sending them to school. Those who do not, will not be very much stimulated 
by free school books, to seud their children to school. 

They need compulsion, and we have a good compulsory school law. There 
are not mauy poor people in our town who would be benefited by free text-books. 
I am inclined to think that even quite poor people will take more interest in the 
education of their children when they pay something towards it. People are 
generally more interested in that which costs them something if it be but a little. 
Those who are too poor to buy school books for their children are supplied as a 
rule, by some charitable friend, or by the school district. I believe it had bet- 
ter be done in that way than by an indiscriminate Free Text-Book System in our 
cities and towns. There are more who are able to buy books for their children 
that would be benefited by it, than those who are not able. I am of the opinion 
that it would not be wise for our Legislature to adopt such a law. 

Very respectfully yours, 

O. U. WH1TFORD, 

Superintendent. 



16 



From the Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Education. 

State Board of Education, 

State House, Boston, Feb. 1, 1888. 
J. B. Bowditch. 

My Dear Sir:— The law requiring the towns and cities of the Commonwealth 
to furnish the children with text-books and supplies, free of expense to them, 
was passed in March, 1884. 

The free system has been tried as a State system for a little more than three 
years. Before the compulsory law was passed, eighteen towns had taken ad- 
vantage of the permissive act of 1873, and had voluntarily supplied their schools 
with free books and supplies. 

The following advantages seem to be derived from the use of the free system: 

1. It has materially increased ihe membership of the schools. 

2. From the returns received, it appears that the daily attendance has in- 
creased in some cases more than ten per cent. The increase is very marked in 
our high schools. 

3. The school period of the children has been increased. More children of 
poor parents attend than before, and they remain longer in school. 

4. Formerly a week or two would pass before the children were supplied 
with books, slates, pencils, etc. Consequently the work of the schools would, 
in many cases, be delayed for that time. Now the schools begin on the first day 
of the term. 

5. Much better care is now taken of the books, as they are in the charge of 
the teacher. The free text-book system is found to be a good means of training 
the children to use with care the property of others. 

6. As all receive their books and supplies from the same free source, all 
mortifying class distinctions are avoided. This is quite an important point 
connected with our free school system. 

7. As all pursuing the same topics can be supplied with the same kind of 
books and other means of study, a much better organization of the school can be 
made. 

8. Experience has proved that the cost of the books, when purchased by the 
towns, is very much less thau when purchased by individuals each for himself. 

9. With the addition of the new system of furnishing books and supplies, 
our schools are now literally free schools. 

10. The free system is in great favor with the people. There is no desire to 
return to the old way. I am 

Truly yours, 

J. W. DICKENSON. 



17 

From the President of the Rhode Island Central Labor Union. 

Providence, January 24, 1888. 
Josiah B. Bowditch, Commissioner B. L. S. 

Dear Sir:— I would have answered your kind note of enquiry, relative to the 
passage of a law for free text-books in our public schools, before this time, as I 
am in favor of it, but you wished to be informed, also, of my observations on 
the subject as representing organized labor. 

On their part I can say that we are in favor of it, and hope to have our legis- 
lators put it in force as soon as possible, because we are of the opinion that free 
educational facilities are not complete until we have the free use of books as 
well as free teaching and free school-rooms for the benefit and accommodation 
of the pupils. 

The reason why I did not reply to your note earlier was because I desired to 
have the ideas of business and professional men, also, upon this very important 
matter, and I find a strong sentiment among them in favor of its adoption, be- 
cause the more they consider and discuss the subject the more they see the very 
great necessity there is for making educational purposes as ample and as easily 
accessible as possible, both moral and physical, as well as mental and industrial, 
if we wish to perpetuate sound principles and good government. 

Sincerely praying that the friends of this measure will succeed in their efforts, 
and that the passage of such a law will soon be effected, I remain 

Yours most respectfully, 

JOHN MULLEDA, 

President C. L. U. 



From District Master Worhman G > Keefe. 

NOBLE ORDER OF THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR, 

Headquarters District Assembly 99, 

Providence, R. I., January 17,. 1888. 
J. B. Boioditch, Commissioner Industrial Statistics. 

Dear Sir: — Your letter of the 16th inst. is received, containing query as to 
"free text-books." 

In reply I would say that in my judgment the passage of a law furnishing to 
the pupils of the public schools free text-books, would not only be of benefit to 
the poor of the State, but to the children themselves, and hence to the com- 
munity itself. 
3 



18 



It is a question in which I have taken a great deal of interest, and more espe-^ 
cially since the passage of a law in Massachusetts for free text books, and have 
discussed it at different times and places, and as recently as the 5th inst. 

I can say without hesitation that there is a broad sentiment in favor of such a 
measure, and for the one whom I have met who is opposed to it there are at 
least twenty in its favor. 

Again, from what I know of the organized labor of the State, a measure of 
this nature would meet with the approval of all. 

Respectfully yours, 

J. O'KEEFE, 

D. M. W.. D. A. 99. 



Statistics of Woonsocket School under the Free Text Book System. 



Expense for books. Average attendance. 

. . $2,138 70 1,147 

. .. 1,424 98 1,466 

. .. 1,249 11 1,353 

. .. 776 40 1,285 

... 1,065 09 1,236 

... 903 87 1,315 

... 675 60 1,387.... 



1878 

1879 

1880 

1881 

1882 

1883 

1884 

*1885 1,409 36 1,449... 

1886 1,228 93 1,431... 

1887 1,029 46 1,574 .. 

*The totals for and since 1885 include incidental expenses for school supplies. 



( 


2ost per pupil. 


$1.86.4 




.... 0.97.2 




.... 92.2 




.... 0.61.9 




.... 0.86.0 




.... 0.68.7 




.... 0.48.7 




.... 0.97.2 




.... 0.85.8 




.... 0.65.4 



The following tables give the names of the different text-books in 
use in the State, in 1886, and the number of towns by which each 
book has been adopted : 



READERS. 

Name of book. In bow many towns used. 

Lippincott's 2 

Sheldon's 1 

Appleton's 15 

New Franklin 1 

Franklin 4 



19 

Swinton's 2 

Monroe's 13 

Raub's 3 

Analytical 2 

WRITING. 
Name of book. In how many towns used. 

Payson, Dunton and Scribner 11 

Duntonlan 7 

Ellsworth 2 

Business Standard 10 

Potter and Hammond 3 

Model Copy Book 1 

SPELLERS. 
Name of book. In how many towns used . 

Munroe's 13 

Patterson 's 1 

Buckwalter's 6 

New American 2 

Gilbert's 1 

Swinton's 6 

Harrington's 6 

Henderson's 1 

National 1 

Franklin 1 

ARITHMETIC. 
Name of book. In how many towns used. 

Franklin 10 

White's 2 

Macvicar's 4 

Fisk's 3 

Hagar's 7 

Harper's 1 

Bradbury's Eaton's 5 

Brook's 2 

Greenleaf s 3 

Raub's 2 

Robinson's 1 



20 



GEOGRAPHIES. 
Name of book. In how many towns used. 

Mitchell's 4 

Harper's 7 

Warren's 24 

Cornell's 1 

Swinton's 2 

GRAMMARS. 
Name of book. In hosv many towns used. 

Greene's 21 

Swinton's 4 

Smith's , 1 

Reid & Kellogg's 13 

Whitney's 1 

Patterson's 1 

Raub's 2 

Hart's 1 

U. S. HISTORY. 
Name of book. In how many towns used. 

Butler's 8 

Quackenbos' 8 

Scudder's 3 

Eclectic 1 

Berard's 5 

Barnes' 6 

Anderson's 6 

Goodrich 5 

Higginson 1 

Swinton 1 

Lossing 1 

ALGEBRA. 
Name of book. In how many towns used. 

Olney's 2 

Greenleaf s 12 

Hager's 4 

Bradbury's Eaton's 3 

Franklin 1 



21 

Newcomb's 1 

Bradbury's 3 

Robinson's 3 

Milne's 1 

Wentworth's .. 1 

PHYSIOLOGY. 

Name of book. In how many towns used. 

Hutchison's 12 

Blaisdell's 4 

Hooker's 2 

Lovell's 1 

Brand's ' 6 

Brown's 1 

Cutter's , 1 

Dunglinson's 1 

Smith's 4 

Thayer's , 1 

Dalton's 1 

Walker's 1 

Steele's , 1 



021 302 837 6 



